Small Doses of The Office, Heroes Now Available to Casual Fans, Addicts

The Office Webisodes

Fans of The Office currently experiencing post-season withdrawal should not turn to other similar shows. Instead they should check out the new 2-minute webisodes available on NBC.com every Thursday, involving some characters from the beloved Scranton Branch.

Each short focuses on the slow-witted but lovable Kevin Malone as he tries to secure a bank loan to pay off his gambling debt. Unfortunately, though, if you’re looking forward to seeing Michael Scott, Pam and Jim, or Dwight give him some financial advice, you will be disappointed. Stanley, Oscar, and Darryl are the only other known characters involved in the shorts. Not a fan of these particular choices? Especially Kevin? Then you’re out of luck.

The first episode was appropriately titled, “Money Trouble.” The show's trademarks were all there: awkwardness, absurdity, and glances at the camera. Plus, Oscar does a decent Kevin impression. But was it funny? Compared to most television during the summer, yes it was, but for The Office, it was not the best. Two minutes is just not enough time to establish some of the complex and ridiculously hilarious situations The Office does so well.

But maybe the writers deserve the benefit of the doubt. Two of the great things about this show are its incredible cast and well-developed characters. The absence of the show’s stars provides lesser-known Dunder-Mifflin employees a chance to shine. As is usually the case with The Office, given some time, it can really wow with its brilliance. The introduction of Darryl, Stanley, and a new character, Kevin’s bookie, in the upcoming webisodes might provide some more laughs. And besides, they’re only two minutes long. How bad can they be?

No matter what, the webisodes will increase excitement for the upcoming fifth season, and for the writers and actors of The Office, that’s win-win.

Heroes Webisodes

The postal worker, that unsung hero who faces unbearable weather, angry dogs, and Publisher’s Clearinghouse catalogs, has finally been given his chance to shine in a three-part series of Heroes webisodes, also at NBC.com. Don't expect to see your favorite characters, though—the only familiar face is Angela Petrelli, mother of Nathan and Peter. But knowing the writers of Heroes and their knack for connecting everything, it is likely the events of these shorts may be important in the upcoming season. They may even foreshadow the continuation of successful or ineffective directions for the show.

The webisodes follow a new character, a postal worker, as he discovers his special ability and faces mysterious foes. The good news is that these shorts accomplish what the show has done well in the past: having an ordinary person do extraordinary things and making the viewer wonder what will happen next. The new guy is likeable enough and could become a fan favorite given enough time. The only fault is that his adversaries are not that scary, so hopefully the new season of Heroes, which is called “Villains,” will have better ones than those featured. The question is, are the webisodes an indication of the show’s future?

After a successful first season, Heroes lost its way with pointless plots around superfluous new characters. The introductions of a new hero and villains may indicate the continuation of a dangerous pattern. But then there’s a larger picture here: Heroes had a disappointing second season and a nine-month hiatus. The webisodes, regardless of whether they are signs of things to come, are a good way to create interest in the show again before the fall.

The main thing everyone should be worrying about is this upcoming season—it could rejuvenate or kill the show. If the writers have not learned from their second season mistakes, then no amount of t-shirts, online comics, federal employees, or webisodes will save them.